Here we see Endeavour shining bright like the morning Sun as it races thru the sky for its rendezvous with the International Space Station. The payload for STS-130 is Node 3 (or Tranquility) which will house equipment for life support and climate control and the cupola, which will give ISS inhabitants a panoramic view of Earth and docking spacecraft. This is the 24th trip into space for the newest member of the STS fleet, and will return in 13 days.
Right now, we are at about T + 45 seconds into launch, (no more than T+55seconds) and this is where I heard the first rumblings of the sound wave. I had expected a violent shaking and a very loud high pitched noise. But instead, it started as a very low, deep, rumble similar to rolling thunder in the distance. Over the next few seconds, it crescendoed into a very near and louder rumble that just kept going. Imagine a thunderstorm (but no lightening) very close, but the thunder lasts about 10-15 seconds, maybe even a bit longer.....that would describe it. I talked to a few people who were lucky enough to view it from the NASA Causeway and they described pops and whistles too. I did not hear any of that. But, they were 5 miles away from the launchpad, and in my spot in Titusville I was 12 miles away. Could make a significant difference.
It was a perfectly clear night with only a few scattered clouds, but I thought the clouds made it a little more interesting!
By now it was 4:15am and all 3 main engines were back up to full power and the shuttle burned noticeably brighter and ascend faster. It is said that at this time the solid rocket boosters are burning 11,000 pounds of propellant EVERY SECOND! and the main engines are requiring 1/2 TON of fuel from the main tank EVERY SECOND! AMAZING! It blows my mind to think that a little over 100 years ago, the Wright Brothers were experimenting with rudimentary flight at KittyHawk! And here this rocket was sending 6 astronauts into outer space to a man-made satellite on a construction job!
As Endeavour raced to the heavens I felt so lucky and privileged to live here and see so many awesome events such as this I remembered to thank God for being so gracious to allow me to see a launch before the program ends this year. As well as all of the other wonderful things He has put me in the right time at the right place to witness.
So now, the daylight associated with launch was over, and darkness returned except for the bright glow emanating from beneath Endeavour.
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